Student testimonials

I loved Coventry University and everything that went along with being a student. The biggest thing for me is how I became a more mature and capable young adult through a mixture of living away from home and being responsible for my own education.

I was a student ambassador for psychology at the university and I also acted as a research assistant along with three of my friends - As Sport Psychology students we were looking into ‘coach to athlete communication’ with the goal of publishing our research.

The course itself had a great combination of PE and Psychology, which attracted me to the degree, the staff were always there to help me and they had a huge impact on how much I enjoyed the course.

There is a lot on offer outside your course so you can get involved in extracurricular activities on and off campus. There’s lots of potential work around and social opportunities too including: clubs, pubs, cinemas and I’d recommend going to see the Coventry Blaze Ice Hockey team.

Coventry is a brilliant place to live and work, the University offers a huge range of courses to suit pretty much everyone – do it and make the most of it!

I chose to study my course on an in-service route, which means that I get to study part time and continue to work. Because I have already developed some knowledge and expertise in my occupation, the course recognises my work experience and credits this in my degree awards, so it means that I am learning academically and experientially.

The University is widely recognised for its excellence in Health and Life Sciences and there is a focus on giving students a voice in how their course is run and organised which is really great.

The tutors are really supportive and there’s a really diverse set of opportunities offered to students that will benefit their continued professional development. There are dynamic and contemporary placements, marketing drives to promote the profile of OT as a profession, special guest visiting lecturers and a wide choice of optional modules. There’s nothing I haven’t enjoyed about my course and I’ve made many strong friendships that will be long lasting.

Coventry University has provided me with a chance to train for a job that I love in a safe and supportive environment. When I was interviewed at Coventry, I immediately knew that this would be an environment where I would be challenged to learn and helped to develop my own skills.

It has been wonderful to work with lecturers who are so passionate about their field of work and about producing professional and well-trained paramedics, it inspires you to do your best.

It was a real opportunity to learn in a practical hands-on way, not just from text books. Spending time on placement in an ambulance gave me the chance to undertake the skills that we learned for real. I have never been in a class like the one I was in at Coventry – we were like one big happy family and we were always working together and no one was ever left out. I was genuinely sad when we graduated that some of us would be splitting off and going home, so I’m lucky that some of my classmates stayed in the area and I now have the privilege of working with them.

I am now a HPC registered Paramedic working for the West Midlands Ambulance service and I love it. Without the degree I achieved at Coventry I would have struggled to get a job as a paramedic, but with my qualification, I stepped right into the job I wanted at the level I wanted; it doesn’t get much better than that!

I chose to study at Coventry University because it had been highly recommended by the British Dietetic Association who said that “Coventry University produces the best Dietitians”. The lecturers on the course are really easy to talk to and always willing to help, especially when the course can be hard work sometimes! There are lots of opportunities to get involved in sports and societies at the University, I’m a member of the athletics, cheerleading and judo societies as well as the mini appreciation society! It’s a great way to meet new people and try something different, I’ve made some really good friends here and living in halls of residence has definitely helped.  The campus is really close to the city and all the shopping facilities, and has a real community atmosphere. I’d like to continue to study at Coventry for a postgraduate degree and then go on to work in the NHS as a dietitian.

I chose Coventry University because I wanted to stay at home and avoid student debt, Coventry University met my requirements; I wanted to go to a University where I would enjoy my course, meet new friends and still get to live the university life despite staying at home. I am happy to say I managed to do all three.

I found the open access computer facilities in the Richard Crossman building helpful as when lectures had finished I liked to go and use those facilities to do my coursework.  I found the library facilities were great for group work; we made use of the learning lounge.

I found it easier living at home and I also found it didn’t affect my involvement in student life, I think I would have had the same experience if I had gone to university away from home.

I chose Social Welfare and Community Studies and I am glad I did as I now have many possible career choices. You study a variety of topics and modules. Since I was young I have always wanted to work with young people so I plan to follow my dream.  I want to do rewarding work and feel like I am making a difference to people’s lives.

My time at Coventry University was fun and I enjoyed making new friends that I hope to keep for life. It was difficult at times, but it was all well worth it.

Coventry University was my first choice, as I inspired by previous students and by the excellent teaching quality provided by staff. My expectations from the university were certainly met because support was provided for me in all aspects of learning.

Coventry University also offers a wide range of facilities to develop academically and for working life. The Library provided many resources; things like books, computers, the library catalogue, e-journals, and articles were very useful and easy to access. The careers department were also very helpful in structuring my career path, and I am able to gain help from them even as a graduate. The Student Funding team offered financial support such as bursaries which were beneficial to me.

Travelling to university was easy. I had a student travel card so I was able to save money on bus fares into the City Centre. Also, the main bus station is a very short walk from campus, which made things easy for me.

Being able to meet other like-minded students through the SU was a big benefit for me, and I got involved in many aspects of student life, such as parties and student debates.

Studying here was fantastic and a memorable experience that I will treasure. Coventry University is the place to explore your dreams and make them happen!

I trained as an engineer after I left school and worked for a company for about a year during which time I decided that it was not the right career for me. I went back home to Ireland to think about my future. My mum, who is a careers adviser, suggested that I should be a nurse, as she saw all the necessary qualities in me. I was sceptical but after researching the courses I warmed to the idea and joined Coventry University in September 2004 on the Adult Nursing BSc. When I went into placement in my first year I knew this type of work was right for me, I visited a maternity ward and knew at once this was the exactly what I wanted to do in the future. I love the work, caring for a pregnant woman is such a special relationship and you need to use very different skills from those used when looking after a person who is ill.

I finished the nursing degree and am now studying for the Midwifery BSc. I’ll be one of very few male midwives in the UK (there are approximately 132 men out of a total of around 35,000 registered midwives). I have seen the full gamut of possible responses to a male midwife but I can say that the majority of positive reactions have by far outweighed the few negative experiences I have had as a male in this role. My advice to other men who would like to pursue this career is don’t worry that some people may think it a strange career choice, in my experience pregnant women want the right person for the job regardless of whether that is a male or a female midwife. They need someone who is caring and listens and they want to feel safe with the midwife.

I chose MSc Nursing Studies because I needed to fulfill my dream of working in nursing. I also wanted new knowledge, to advance my career prospects and gain experience in theory, practice and research. I found Coventry University offered these opportunities to the fullest.

Coventry University has intelligent, experienced and friendly lecturers. The faculty is a friendly learning environment with a well equipped library.

My career pathway in Nursing Studies is quite challenging but full of rewarding experiences. MSc Nursing Studies has enhanced my research skills, critical appraisal of evidence and developed my critical thinking skills necessary to improve practice and implement evidence-based care.

I have also had the opportunity to work as a part-time Health Care Assistant and have used advanced mobility equipment.

The course has improved my knowledge and experience and has given me an understanding of nursing models and theories in client care. This course has provided a great advantage for the present and will benefit me in the future, as it has equipped me to embrace the challenges of the rapidly changing healthcare setting and to manage changes that improve health services.

I studied a two-year BTEC National Diploma in Forensic Science and decided to continue with the subject. There aren’t many universities where I could study this, and I was advised by a friend that Coventry was a good option, so I came along to have a look at the labs and decided to apply.

I have a full workload already. I’m taking an Add+vantage module in photography so I don’t have much spare time. Through the University's teaching and support I hope to go straight into a job in forensic science when I graduate.

I like Coventry city, it seems a lot smaller than Cambridge where I grew up. It was easy to get used to it here, and I met lots of friends on different courses through my flat mates so I’m settling in nicely.

My key interest outside of my study is music. I’m learning to play the guitar at the moment in the little free time that I have. I’m really enjoying it.

I’ve always been interested in crime and trying to find out the reasons behind criminal activity. After reading the course content in the prospectus I started to take an interest in Coventry.

When I came to look around the lecturers were really helpful. I had a meeting with the course leader and she explained the course really well and it seemed to be exactly what I wanted to do as I have always been interested in going into the police.

My interest in crime set high expectations for the course and I definitely think Criminology has fulfilled that. I’m not one hundred percent sure what I want to do after my degree but the lecturers have always been there to help and talk about the options. I will probably do a Masters in Criminology because I thought so highly of the course.

I think the course will help me to get the job I want in the future and doing the masters will bring the competition right down – especially within the police because although you still have to do your two years on the beat, once you are in there you can work your way up the ranks more quickly with a degree. If you haven’t done the degree you don’t know about community safety and other topics that we have covered, so there is a definite advantage there.

I really enjoyed the course, the lecturers are always there to support you and you can go to them any time to go through your work or talk about any issues. I think it is very important in a degree to have lecturers that are supportive and encouraging and I definitely think the criminology staff are excellent at this.

My favourite aspect of the course has been the mental health related material. This year we have been studying people with mental health as victims and that is what got me interested in the topic area to cover it for my dissertation. We also studied prisons and the criminal justice system and had a daytrip to a local prison where we spent the whole day looking around the various cells and different units. The course covers a broad range of topics so there is always going to be something that you can engage with; there is something for everyone.

After a visit to West Midlands Police I became interested in joining in the police but was told I did not have enough experience. I decided to do a degree that would strengthen my application in a few years time. Unfortunately the police are not recruiting this year so I will now do a PGCE that will allow me to keep my options open and have something to fall back on if I don’t like the police.

I’m local to Coventry and wanted to stay at home so the Criminology course was an obvious choice for the career I had in mind. The course has exceeded my expectations and been even more enjoyable than I thought it would be. There is loads of discussion and they try to get you involved with activities that draw you in to the subject. I remember on the mental health module the lecturer got us to draw a stereotypical mental health sufferer to get us thinking about our perceptions of mental health against a true representation of reality.

The staff have are supportive and if you have any problems they are willing to help. This year in particular I have had a lot of help from lectures. When I struggled on a particular part of the work - I just sent them what my ideas were and they got back to me with plenty of help and advice.

I love working with offenders and wanted to go into that field of work. I thought Criminology would be a good degree to equip me to do that in the future.  I had already worked with young offenders on some estates in London last year when I was doing volunteer work with a Christian organisation, so after having tried it I knew I wanted to work in that area.

As a Christian I felt like Coventry was the right place to come. I can’t really explain why but it felt right. When I came for the open day, the course leader explained what the course was all about and it sounded interesting. It has really met the criteria of what I was looking for. There is a lot of research involved but I really enjoy doing that.

I particularly enjoy the workshops where we sit down in groups and discuss an issue. Like, we might talk about prisons, and whether prisons work and the implications and ethical issues behind that. There is a good balance between lectures and seminars but a lot of the work is done off your own back and going away and doing the reading - which I love doing.

As a first year I am looking forward to going into more depth with the work, which is scary but good at the same time as I like to be challenged.

The staff have got a lot of experience. Some of them have worked in serious organisations – like Tony (Colombo) has worked with the FBI and it is the same for the other lecturers. It is not just someone with a degree; they have actually got to a position where they can speak with authority in the classroom. They are all very, very good and I am not just saying that. They know what they are talking about.

I’d love to work with young offenders in the future as I have a real heart for that area but working with offenders in general is something I would want to do. I’m working with Victim Support at the moment and have just done training with them so even working with victims is something I could see myself doing. I don’t have a specific career in mind at the moment but just something in that area. Next year I will be able to pick what modules I want to do and that will allow me to specialise a bit more.

The course is quite specific but if you have a real want to work in the area of crime then I would say definitely do it.

Since I first moved to Coventry I have gained a lot of independence through living away from home. I have developed my understanding of Psychology through studying all areas in a lot more depth than was covered in previous education, I have developed my time management and planning skills for coursework and exams, and have increasingly become aware of deadlines and workloads.

I really wanted to study something I was passionate about, and so far I have really enjoyed the Psychology course. It is extremely interesting and there is always something to read up on in your spare time and plenty to keep your mind occupied! This is a really popular degree, there is always someone to talk to and it’s really easy to make friends.

One of the reasons I chose Coventry over the other universities I visited was the fact that all of the staff and students were so friendly and approachable from day one. At some universities the lecturers were on a higher level than the students, but here at Coventry the staff treat the students as friends and they are all so easy to talk to about anything from coursework to personal issues. They are always willing to help, and all lecturers have office hours where you can either drop in to ask a few questions, or book an appointment to talk about anything that you don’t understand.  The staff also provides a lot of support for students in terms of careers and future aspirations.

As a third year student at Coventry University I feel that I have developed a number of valuable skills which will put me at an advantage above others in the world of work. Throughout the course I feel that I have developed a mature approach to studying which has emphasised self motivation, time management and the ability to utilise resources effectively. I have also enhanced communication skills essential for conveying ideas clearly to both peers and members of the academic community. I feel that these skills will provide me with a competitive edge when seeking future employment.
Academic staff have made the University experience exciting, challenging and stimulating. The department is fortunate to have lecturers whom are extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic and passionate, this has the effect of enthusing you into sharing that passion and developing your own interests and ideas. Faculty staff are extremely approachable and can be reached in their office hours and by phone and email outside of them. Personal tutors are provided throughout the course which provides a support network which is invaluable at all times for anything specific which you may need to ask. This support has allowed me to become confident in my studies and any questions that I may have I know exactly where to go and whom to ask in order to get the answers.

As I approach the end of my final year at Coventry University I feel excited and confident in my ability to stand out in the graduate market.  My time at the university has given me skills both as an academic writer and a researcher.  I have gained a solid knowledge base across a range of approaches to Psychology and as I progressed through the course I was able to narrow my developing interests and choose from a wide range of module choices in third year.  The option of tailoring my own learning was extremely attractive as a prospective student and the reality did not disappoint.

The faculty staff members are all research active and continually update their teaching based upon what they observe changing in the field.  The faculty is a very friendly one and staff are keen to help students seeking work experience - I have been fortunate to be involved in a number of projects since my first year and I would highly recommend that all Psychology students take advantage of the opportunities available to them in terms of research experience.  I definitely feel that doing this was well worth the extra effort, especially in terms of helping me to apply taught theory with the reality of conducting research.  Furthermore these experiences have helped me to develop my own interests: I came to University with a keen interest in Counselling psychology which has now been supplemented by an additional interest in the biological explanations of psychology. 

My experience at Coventry University has been extremely positive both in terms of the knowledge that I have acquired, the skills that I have developed and the change of career that I now hope to achieve. Coming back in to education as a mature student I felt that I was able to build on my existing skill set whilst developing new skills alongside this. Whilst completing my 3 year BSc course in Psychology and Criminology and subsequent MSc in Forensic Psychology I was given the opportunity to advance my critical thinking, analytical ability and the skill to express this in written reports and assignment. Other skills that were developed included the aptitude to work within a group of individuals and to gain confidence presenting material to others. In addition the range and choice of modules that were available to study, particularly in my final year, offered not only the opportunity to investigate a variety of different areas but the chance to tailor the degree to cater for my individual interests and strengths. My positive experience at university and the academic learning that I achieved was accomplished because of the support of the staff within the faculty. They provided an excellent platform for learning due to the quality of their lecturing and because of the variety and depth of their specialist knowledge. Due to the approachability of the members of staff throughout the department there was plenty of opportunity to take advantage of their knowledge and skill base in order to develop my own academic aptitude. This was particularly valuable when completing my dissertations.

My distance learning course has enabled me to continue learning while maintaining my employment. I choose each year how many credits I want to study based on how busy I am going to be at work. The tutors have always been available and supportive when I have needed them. I can contact them by email, telephone and face-to-face.

My tutorials and materials are provided online and I access them when it is convenient to me. The library service is great both online and through the post.

The course is enabling me to learn new management skills and gives insight into why things haven’t worked in the past. Most importantly for me the course enables me to reflect on my current practice and make adjustments where necessary.

This is the second time I have studied here and the facilities and range of courses are improving every year. I hope this won’t be the last course I study at Coventry; if possible I would to continue my lifelong education and development here.

I chose this course because the modules available (Contemporary issues in Health, Data Analysis, Research Methodology Design and Methods, Public Health Policy and Practice, Public Health and Health Development, Leadership and Change for Service Improvement) were perfectly suited to my working experience in the health sector and were ideal for helping me move forward in my career.

I loved the easy interaction with lecturers and their availability for mentoring and the wealth of library resources: databases, study areas, space and access, library study support, academic study support. The student services were also very professional and they gave me excellent advice on how to progress my career.

After my course I am confident of securing employment at my desired level (leadership position) with my forthcoming qualification in MSc Health Studies. My student placement experience at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire and my other voluntary experience in Coventry and previous work experience here will help me to get a good job either in the UK or anywhere else in the world.

Coventry is a culturally diverse city with foods from all continents available and an open attitude to people from a variety of backgrounds.

I chose this course because forensics is a growth industry around the world. It is also an exciting subject and never repetitive. From a more personal perspective I was interested in studying abroad and in doing something that is not offered in my own country. The reason I specifically chose to study the course at Coventry University is that it combines the science with a more sociological perspective.

I really enjoyed the workshops and tutorials on the Forensic Science module, where I learned how to take fingerprints and how to analyse blood splatter. I found the tutors to be helpful and supportive on all matters.

As a second year student I will wait until the end of the year before I decide on my career path, especially because of the module I will be taking called “Careers for Forensic Investigators” which offers a weekly guest speaker who will come in to talk us about their career. I know I would like to work in the field of law enforcement but am not exactly sure of which specific area just yet.

The fact that both the city of Coventry and the University offer an open minded environment to all cultures and all people makes it a “delicious” social experience.

I studied my undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy here in Coventry, so I knew all about the great facilities, the high standard of teaching and the reputation of the course. Coventry really is a leader in this field and the reputation of the course is highly regarded in the profession.

I work for the NHS in London who allow me to study one day a week on the course.

The journey to Coventry is really easy; it’s less than an hour from London on the train. I feel a certain sense of pride when I tell people in my field that I’m studying for my Masters in Coventry because I know that it brings with it a certain level of kudos.

A lot of the psychology courses that I looked at were very focused towards a single perspective. At Coventry, the lecturers were from a variety of backgrounds, and I wanted to keep my mind and my options open. The staff were really good - both friendly and helpful.

The facilities at Coventry are great. There is a massive library, plenty of open access rooms, a well-equipped sports centre and a really good Students’ Union. Also within the Psychology Department we had access to labs, observation rooms and interview rooms whenever we needed them.

Travelling to university was really easy for me. I walked in most of the time, but there was usually parking available when I decided to drive. Living at home made it easier financially, and I didn’t feel like I was missing out socially.

Studying Psychology and undertaking the work placements involved has helped me to shape my career aspirations. Originally I wanted to work towards a career in clinical psychology, but I am now aiming for a career in health psychology.

University was a great experience. I met lots of different people, made some really good friends and took away a very valuable degree.

I chose Coventry University because it was near where I lived, but I was also impressed with the facilities, such as the library and the academic learning assistance. The university definitely met my expectations. Additionally, the Careers Centre was particularly useful for job hunting and helping me with my interview skills.

For my daily commute, I used the Coventry North Park and Ride services. This service was reliable and cost effective, and it saved searching for parking spaces in the city centre.

My course has helped me to gain employment in social care, and I am hopeful that this will lead to a social work position in the future. Without the degree I do not think that I would have had the opportunity or the necessary skills to work in this area. In the future I would like to work with young people; either those who have left care or those who are in a youth offending institution. Once I have gained the relevant experience I believe that this aspiration could become reality.
 
I have enjoyed my time at University. It has provided me with knowledge and confidence that I did not have before. University has also enabled me to make new friends who share the same interests as I do. Coventry has more than met my expectations.

My chosen course was accredited by the British Psychological Society, and encompassed all elements of Psychology - which is bonus as not all universities offer this in Psychology.  During my course there were many opportunities for undergraduates relating to applied aspects of Psychology which, in the long term, aid securing a paid job in the subject.

I was taken aback by my course at Coventry University. The first few days of being there were sufficient to convince me I was in the perfect place to follow my career path. The facilities were everything and more required for a smooth and constructive three years of study.

I am currently studying for an MSc in Health Psychology as means of satisfying my passion for health research.  The University awarded me a scholarship to study my masters upon achieving a 1st class degree, which is a bonus. Alongside my MSc I am a lecturer in a college teaching mature students, which is an extremely rewarding experience.

My experience at Coventry University was fantastic, and the best 3 years of my life.  I was offered a place to study an MSc at the University of Warwick which is a highly competitive course, but I still chose Coventry. I wouldn’t change my university experience at Coventry for the world.

After completing my graduate degree in physiotherapy – and having worked as a physiotherapist in India – I developed an inclination towards neurological physiotherapy, and soon treating clients with neurological impairments was my passion. After gaining considerable experience in the field of neurological physiotherapy, I decided that achieving a masters degree in neurological physiotherapy would help me develop and nurture my expertise.

The Neurological Physiotherapy MSc course enabled me to develop a masters level of clinical reasoning in the field of neurological physiotherapy. Through group work I was able to understand different standards of practice, by working with students practicing in different parts of the world.

Studying neurological physiotherapy at Coventry University has enabled me to gain a high level of knowledge, reasoning, practice skills, scientific attitude and love for research. I have applied all these qualities to my practice, and won the appreciation of employers I have worked with after my MSc. I see my career taking off to very high levels in the next few years.

Coventry provides an excellent scope for social life. The student union always organises social activities for students like parties, dances, trips, sports etc. This enables students to meet other students from different cultural backgrounds in one place.